EDUCATION
Connecting the learner with the land is a powerful tool for understanding life skills, history, math, science, and the values of community, tradition and regeneration. “…. work on the land,” Maria Montessori writes, “is an introduction both to nature and to civilization and gives a limitless field for scientific and historic studies.” It builds collaboration, character and discipline and fosters joy and reverence in witnessing the miracles of nature.
Camino de Paz Farm and School was established as a Montessori School for middle and high school. A unique educational institution located in northern New Mexico, we combine academics with hands-on agricultural experiences. Founded in 2000, its vision was to create an integrated learning environment where students could connect traditional academic subjects with practical skills in farming, sustainability, and entrepreneurship.
Based on Montessori principles, Camino de Paz emphasizes experiential learning, community engagement, fair economic and business practices, and developing independence. Over the years, the school has gained recognition for its innovative model, blending education with a deep respect for the land and sustainable practices. Students, both adults and youth, have visited Camino de Paz from all over the world. It continues to serve as a beacon for alternative education, nurturing both the intellect and practical skills of its students.
Camino de Paz operates as a working farm, offering participants the opportunity to engage in activities such as planting, harvesting, caring for livestock, food preservation and running a farm-based business. Through this immersive approach, we learn ecological responsibility, teamwork, and real-world problem-solving.
Camino de Paz Center for Study & Work
Camino de Paz is a center for work. We teach economic integration, fostering interdependence and productive social connection. We serve the individual in relation to the local community and local autonomy. We nurture Peace through membership and belonging.
We take inspiration from all the great religions and follow Montessori, Ghandi and Schumacker’s understanding of the farm, factory, shop, fisheries and hostels. We draw on a ‘small is beautiful’ production base.
We integrate farmers and businesses into communities and collectives, teach value added production including baking, cheesemaking, food processing, carpentry, metalworking, business management and human relations.
We create a community home: teaching hotel and restaurant management & factory production. We create guild connections between students and teachers, providing worker and trade certifications, conducting training and conferences. We believe work defines ourselves and our community. We comprise all ethnicities, races, colors and creeds. We expand the brotherhood of man to include all of creation.
Camino de Paz is a center for Montessori Teacher Training. Patricia Pantano, Director of Education, is an AMI Certified 12-18 Trainer and has worked with training centers all over the world. Greg Nussbaum, Director of Business Operations, is an economist and student of religion. The farm/school campus offers an ideal setting for bringing into practice the Center for Study and Work that Montessori outlined in the book, “From Childhood to Adolescence.” Our bi-lingual diploma courses invite teachers from across borders to work and study together as one community.
Visiting School Groups
While Camino de Paz no longer enrolls students on a daily basis, we anticipate offering programming for visiting school groups. The value of work and study in a farm environment has been fully articulated above. Our mission would be to allow students who don’t have this opportunity on their own school campus to participate in these practical activities in which they can apply math, science, history, communication and creative skills.
Adult Programs
Camino de Paz looks forward to hosting small groups for hands-on classes in the practical skills of farming such as food preservation, cooking, cheese making, tree pruning, drip irrigation, companion planting, and bread baking. In addition, there will be tours, and other pop-up events. It also invites other organizations to use its facilities for similar programming or meetings.